Drilling multiple holes in a line.

[BukitCase]

"That would be an extremely tough sell to the better half. "

Mark, that's probably because you weren't lucky enough to marry a woman that made the mistake of admitting that she married you (53 years ago) 'cause you had leatherworking TOOLS

(Not that that ALWAYS works; but it doesn't HURT...) ...Steve

 

[HCJtractor]

Well, I know what I would do... whether it be smart or not. I would convince myself I needed a Mag drill and a nice set of annular bits. This would be what I was rationalize as the 'right' tool after considering an ironworker. That would be an extremely tough sell to the better half.

That said, I really like the pegboard and center punch idea as a poor man's jig.

Wow. You think like I do. That’s been my mindset for 30 years. So I have the greatest tool collection for a occasional user ever. Now what about that Hypertherm plasma cutter? But I don’t have your problem. I divorced my “better half”, (and that is debatable ) so no longer a problem. And my now girlfriend impressed me initially when I discovered she owned her own Milwaukee sawzall. So she understands my tool addiction.

 

[HCJtractor]

My new best friend for the past 8 years or so.:thumbsup:

View attachment 573239

It's limited (for punching) to the thickness of your material, ie; 3/8" minimum size hole is 3/8, 1/2 is 1/2 etc. I think it a "property" of mild steel that must be adhered to when punching. Iirc my little I/W's (maximum) will punch a 1" hole through 5/8 material.

HCJ, it might be worth a trip to a local fab guy with an iron worker. He might get you for an hour minimum but it's an option, unless you want to drive to Maine. I'll get you a beer and punch them for nuthin.

Hey. Great offer. Always wanted to see a Maine. I hear it’s beautiful

 

[BukitCase]

HJC, might wanna go back a ways; I added to previous post, during which time about 12 MORE posts happened... Steve

 

[HCJtractor]

Thanks Steve. Good info. In researching mag drills, I did notice that small annular cutters aren’t available. Guess I could use an accessory chuck and use regular bits. And a 3/8 big should cut fairly easily I expect. But it’s tempting to buy a mag drill for larger holes. I’m using hole saws now in my press for 3/4 or 1” holes. That’s no fun.

 

[dragoneggs]

"That would be an extremely tough sell to the better half. "

Mark, that's probably because you weren't lucky enough to marry a woman that made the mistake of admitting that she married you (53 years ago) 'cause you had leatherworking TOOLS

(Not that that ALWAYS works; but it doesn't HURT...) ...Steve

Actually, my wife is very supportive of all the tools I bought and continue to buy. Second wife and she should have seen it coming when she first saw my garage.

I just have to remember to think about how good she is to me, especially when I am up late night (she is sleeping) looking on Amazon Prime to see what tool I can get in two days shipped for free! Right now she is whipping something up in the kitchen that is some kind of stir fry. Mushrooms and some applewood smoked bacon are in the mix. I gladly buy her anything that goes in the kitchen!

Wow. You think like I do. That痴 been my mindset for 30 years. So I have the greatest tool collection for a occasional user ever. Now what about that Hypertherm plasma cutter? But I don稚 have your problem. I divorced my 澱etter half? (and that is debatable ) so no longer a problem. And my now girlfriend impressed me initially when I discovered she owned her own Milwaukee sawzall. So she understands my tool addiction.

Yeah, she actually surprised me buying the Hypertherm plasma cutter I had on my xmas list! Maybe I am just trying not to rub it in on all the guys that aren't as lucky as I am in the 'wife understanding department'. :cool2:

 

[Industrial Toys]

I bought a nice commercial variable speed mag drill at an auction. I sold it to a friend. I don't even know about those cutters and all that stuff, so I just go there if I need holes drilled. It's mind boggling what a guy can spend on tooling.

 

[mapper]

Of course one can always apply the first rule of projects:
Every new project requires at least one new tool.
I have had some really dirty looks from some of my friends spouses when I informed them of this within earshot of said spouse.

 

[Rustyiron]

Yeah but ^^^ they last soooo much longer than drill bits. I think in the long run inch for inch (of drilled hole) they are cheaper than normal drill bits.

HJ, I bought an "Evolution" mag drill years (15?) ago. There may be years where I only use it a few times, but every one of those holes (1/2" on up to 2 1/4? is worth every penny. I'd like to move up to a "big boy" brand, maybe one day but the Evolution for my usage is doing fine.

 

[CADplans]

Use a bolted down vise to control the "Y" axis,,

Measure and center punch for the "X" axis, If you want the X axis to be super accurate,,, drill with a 1/8" bit first,,,